Lube question about Record hubs

These are ball bearings. Use grease as it will stay put. First of all, there is no such thing as an inpenetratable seal and if the hub can turn on the axle, there is a break in the seal. Oil will escape and you will be left with a poorly lubricated bearing.

The little hole with the spring clip cover is meant for grease. You can find a small injector that uses a tube of grease at some bike stores. A bit of grease injected every so often will keep major service to a minimum.

I know some people think grease is a drag but so is relubing with oil and keeping the oil off the brake track. You will not be able to measure a time difference despite what professional racing team mechanics say. They get new wheels each year. You pay for any new equipment. Grease is cheaper than an overhaul.

BTW, make sure to clean the hubs after relubing. The adage that such grease is to be left on is a misnomer. The great seals used today keep grit migration to a minimum.

apoman-<< What would be recommended, and compatible lubes/oils for these hubs?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<BR><BR>

Grease is just oil in soap. Use any decent grease and you won't go wrong,
synthetic or other.

As for the oil/grease ports, you can squirt grease in there periodically but it
is NOT a substitute for a take apart type overhaul.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Mark wrote in message <[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Folks, On my new build up, I'm using new Record 32H Hubs front,
and rear, with Mavic Open Pro Silver Rims (Wheelsmith built gold
label)

What would be recommended, and compatible lubes/oils for these hubs?
I wouldn't want to perhaps use the wrong type Oils/greases, and
possibly damage any seals that may be incorporated in these hubs.
(Synthetic or Petrol Based?)

Another question I have pertains to the Oil Ports on these Hubs.
I've heard that racers primarily use these, but should I, as an
average user concern myself with injecting Oil into these?

With my way of thinking, I would think after a fresh grease relube,
and adjustment of hubs, maybe perhaps just 2 drops of oil per hub
would in effect slightly "Cut" the viscosity of the grease, making for
a slightly "Faster Wheel". Maybe any more than this amount would start
to compromise the protection/effectiveness of the grease for the
bearings/races? Is this correct thinking? Thanks, Mark D.

3in1 Cycle oil. That is an oil hole. The grease does not protect the
bearings it is the oil that does that. Grease is a combination of a soap
and oil. The 'soap' acts like a sponge and retains the oil. It is
perfectly acceptable to add oil to grease in this application. The grease
also retains the debris from the wear of the bearings.

A caution when lubrication consists solely of oil, that is without grease.
The bearing units of most bicycles allow the bike to be stood without
dripping oil. If however the bike is put on its side, the oil will fall out
of the bearing.

The resistance to turn is a good way of determining if there is enough oil.
The grease will need replacing to remove the wear debris say after the first
10 000 miles and then hardly ever afterwards.

Trevor

Trevor Jeffrey said:

That is an oil hole.

Campagnolo clearly describe it as a "greasing hole" in their instructions
and that "grease" should be "injected" into the hole.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Trevor Jeffrey said:

That is an oil hole.

Campagnolo clearly describe it as a "greasing hole" in their instructions
and that "grease" should be "injected" into the hole.

You mean like here (scroll down to p.17, greasing):

http://www.campagnolo.com/pdf/178-FI%20Mozzi%20Post%202000.pdf

Pete Biggs wrote in message <[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Trevor Jeffrey said:

That is an oil hole.

Campagnolo clearly describe it as a "greasing hole" in their instructions
and that "grease" should be "injected" into the hole.

That may be their intention, or there may have been a loss in the
translation. Which viscosity and type of 'grease' do they recommend? It
still comes to pass, that a hub is better lubricated with oil. The trouble
with lubricating with grease alone is that it dries out. The addition of
oil wets it with the lubricant and additives it requires, thereby saving an
otherwise early hub stripdown.

Trevor

Trevor-<< That is an oil hole. >><BR><BR>

A little history here. Oil hole for one use track type events, way back when
where sluggish grease was thought to be a way to get slower. Used to be an oil
hole in the BB as well. Also sometimes for the time trial event of major
races(see 'Stars and Watercarriers', when the4 Bianchi dude is taking apart the
BB, to 'oil' it'😉.

In modern Campagnolo hubs it is for grease. Anybody that oils their hubs on a
road bike is askin for a failed hub.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Trevor Jeffrey said:

That is an oil hole.

Campagnolo clearly describe it as a "greasing hole" in their instructions
and that "grease" should be "injected" into the hole.

You mean like here (scroll down to p.17, greasing):

http://www.campagnolo.com/pdf/178-FI%20Mozzi%20Post%202000.pdf

Thank you all for the advice, and for the Campy PDF Link. I knew you
folks would be able to help with the proper advice. Thanks, Mark

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote in message
<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Trevor-<< That is an oil hole. >><BR><BR>

A little history here. Oil hole for one use track type events, way back

when

Quoted message said:

where sluggish grease was thought to be a way to get slower. Used to be an

oil

Quoted message said:

hole in the BB as well. Also sometimes for the time trial event of major
races(see 'Stars and Watercarriers', when the4 Bianchi dude is taking apart

the

Quoted message said:

BB, to 'oil' it'😉.

In modern Campagnolo hubs it is for grease. Anybody that oils their hubs on

a

Quoted message said:

road bike is askin for a failed hub.

Is there any reason to preclude the use of oil? I am unaware of details of
current models.

Trevor

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 04:19:49 +0100, "Trevor Jeffrey"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[snip]

Quoted message said:

The trouble
with lubricating with grease alone is that it dries out. The addition of
oil wets it with the lubricant and additives it requires, thereby saving an
otherwise early hub stripdown.

Trevor

Dear Trevor,

If grease is an oil soap, is the oil "dries out" in your
theory?

If so, why wouldn't plain oil do the same thing?

And why would the oil in grease not contain the same
additives?

Curiously,

Carl Fogel

On 18 Aug 2004 13:16:54 GMT, [email hidden] (Qui si parla

Campagnolo ) said:

Trevor-<< That is an oil hole. >><BR><BR>

A little history here. Oil hole for one use track type events, way back when
where sluggish grease was thought to be a way to get slower. Used to be an oil
hole in the BB as well. Also sometimes for the time trial event of major
races(see 'Stars and Watercarriers', when the4 Bianchi dude is taking apart the
BB, to 'oil' it'😉.

In modern Campagnolo hubs it is for grease. Anybody that oils their hubs on a
road bike is askin for a failed hub.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Dear Peter,

Why would a hub lubricated with oil instead of grease fail?
Is it a matter of the oil leaking out, lower viscosity, or
what?

Unctuously,

Carl Fogel

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On 18 Aug 2004 13:16:54 GMT, [email hidden] (Qui si parla

Campagnolo ) said:

Trevor-<< That is an oil hole. >><BR><BR>

A little history here. Oil hole for one use track type events, way back

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

where sluggish grease was thought to be a way to get slower. Used to be

an oil

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hole in the BB as well. Also sometimes for the time trial event of major
races(see 'Stars and Watercarriers', when the4 Bianchi dude is taking

apart the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BB, to 'oil' it'😉.

In modern Campagnolo hubs it is for grease. Anybody that oils their hubs

on a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

road bike is askin for a failed hub.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Dear Peter,

Why would a hub lubricated with oil instead of grease fail?
Is it a matter of the oil leaking out, lower viscosity, or
what?

Unctuously,

Carl Fogel

I was using 30w motor oil to lube my older Campagnolo hubs.
I would give a shot of oil in the oil hole about every two weeks. This is
when I was riding/commuting everyday to work, about 30 miles. Finally after
two years, I took apart the hubs to check out the wear on the bearings and
race. To my surprise, there was very little wear.
-tom

[email hidden] wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

If grease is an oil soap, is the oil "dries out" in your
theory?

The oil dries out. It is not a theory.

Quoted message said:

If so, why wouldn't plain oil do the same thing?

It does. A grease only needs to lose a small fraction of its oil to lessen
its beneficial effect.
Oil continues to lubricate equally even if the majority has dissapeared.

Quoted message said:

And why would the oil in grease not contain the same
additives?

they do.

Tenor

Tom Nakashima wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

I was using 30w motor oil to lube my older Campagnolo hubs.
I would give a shot of oil in the oil hole about every two weeks. This is
when I was riding/commuting everyday to work, about 30 miles. Finally

after

Quoted message said:

two years, I took apart the hubs to check out the wear on the bearings and
race. To my surprise, there was very little wear.
-tom

Worn in, rather than worn out.

Trevor

[email hidden] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Trevor-<< That is an oil hole. >><BR><BR>

A little history here. Oil hole for one use track type events, way back when
where sluggish grease was thought to be a way to get slower. Used to be an oil
hole in the BB as well. Also sometimes for the time trial event of major
races(see 'Stars and Watercarriers', when the4 Bianchi dude is taking apart the
BB, to 'oil' it'😉.

In modern Campagnolo hubs it is for grease. Anybody that oils their hubs on a
road bike is askin for a failed hub.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Hi Peter, I can understand these thoughts, and the reasons why.
Naturally the heat generated by bicycle hubs is nowhere near the
extreme temps encountered with Auto hubs/spindles, but I imagine the
same principal applies. Greases offers better protection in these
instances.

If oiling wheel bearings was such a good idea, we'd be doing it on our
cars.
The old fashoined Train Wheel journal bearing boxes though were at one
time using just oil. All modern Train wheel's Journal bearings now use
grease. I take it that engineers discovered that grease was a better
lubricant for protection under extreme conditions, and loads.

Oils have a tendency not to stay put where applied, unless some type
of "bath" could be maintained. Thier protection giving properties
would not last very long if the bearings could not remain in a
constant oil bath.

I love topics like this! Thanks all again, Mark

carl-<< Why would a hub lubricated with oil instead of grease fail?
Is it a matter of the oil leaking out, lower viscosity, or
what? >><BR><BR>

Oil dribbles out. Why the 'soap' is there, to keep it in place.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Mark wrote in message <[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

If oiling wheel bearings was such a good idea, we'd be doing it on our
cars.
The old fashoined Train Wheel journal bearing boxes though were at one
time using just oil. All modern Train wheel's Journal bearings now use
grease. I take it that engineers discovered that grease was a better
lubricant for protection under extreme conditions, and loads.

Most car owners don't care. Checking engine oil level is too much of a
chore. Grease provides low maintenance alternative for the non-caring user.

Trevor